To: K-list
Recieved: 1999/03/07 09:52
Subject: RE: [K-list] Gnosis and mailformat.
From: Llewellyn
On 1999/03/07 09:52, Llewellyn posted thus to the K-list:
Charles,
<PS Has anyone noticed the composition of the word 'hierarchical'? I
understand 'hier' is the French for 'yesterday'. So 'hierarchical'
translates for me as 'yesterday's arch'. I wish that was true.>
In response to your above comment:
Actually, I hadn't thought about the etymology of hierarchical, so I looked
it up (context, structure, meaning). In this case, the hier- prefix is from
the Greek, hiero(s) meaning holy, sacred; hiero- or hier- is a combining
form meaning "sacred", "priestly" used in compound words. It seems the more
down to earth usage of hierarchy of "any system of persons or things ranked
one above another", resulted from the earlier 'religious' use.
Of course if you want to combine French with Greek it is ok with me. Words
tend to mean to us whatever we think they do, which is why sometimes it is
so difficult to communicate with others.
The following statement was taken from a certain Professor's door, a Dr.
Jones in this case:
"I know you believe
that you understand
what you think I said,
but I am not sure
you realize that
what you heard
is not what I meant".
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree with you, that a tree's fruit is more important than its name; but
when I want peaches, I plant a peach tree, not an oak. Titles, like all
words, need to be interpreted. But, it shows a certain respect for what the
title might entail, when they are employed. Certainly, they can be misused,
but they do have their use. And since you recognize that Avatar, Guru etc.,
can be titles/terms given out in a hierarchical organization, then when used
in that context, that is what they mean, and can not be fully understood
unless the organization is given as well (Avatar xyz of abc). Some titles
are not part of a hierarchy, per se, and just denote achievement (e.g.,
Ph.D.). Just like a title of M.D., following a name, does not mean anything
more than the person graduated from a medical college. It does not necessary
follow that those who have that title of M.D. will have integrity or follow
the Hippocratic oath. Recognizing a title can just be part of common
courtesy and respect. It does not mean that a Guru is your guru or that an
M.D. has cures for you, or that the Pope is your pope.
I like titles in that they provide me with additional information, such as
an achievement/accomplishment or the position of someone in an organization
or hierarchy. And whether we like it or not, organizations and hierarchies
are not yesterday's arch. They are part of human nature, and certainly to
many they are sacred, if not holy.
Peace and balance
G. Llewellyn the Untitled, ab Elihu, from Huron.
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